Thrivent and Wellspring Join the Hands of the Young and the Young at Heart

This annual event generates awareness about what volunteerism can do in communities while bringing together youth and adults to build friendships across generations. The actual date of Join Hands Day this year was May 4. However, various projects throughout the county were delayed due to the heavy rain. The last Join Hands Day projects were completed just last week.

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By Kim Askeland

St. James Plaindealer - St. James, MN

By Kim Askeland

Posted Jun. 29, 2013 at 8:00 AM

By Kim Askeland

Posted Jun. 29, 2013 at 8:00 AM

St. James Plaindealer

Join Hands Day is an opportunity for young and old to connect with each other to make a difference in their communities through useful projects. Join Hands Day is a national volunteer day sponsored by America’s fraternal benefit societies.

This annual event generates awareness about what volunteerism can do in communities while bringing together youth and adults to build friendships across generations. The actual date of Join Hands Day this year was May 4. However, various projects throughout the county were delayed due to the heavy rain. The last Join Hands Day projects were completed just last week.

Thrivent had the opportunity to sponsor six community service projects in Watonwan County. Wellspring coordinated the projects and completed the paperwork to be submitted to Thrivent. Linda Buller at the St. James Community Building worked with the kids from Saved By The Bell Daycare to plant flowers in planters and around the building. Jolene Braaten and members of the Rosendale Skippers planted flowers at the Good Samaritan Complex in St. James. Lisa Barber-Guerdet assisted kids from the Jimmies 4-H club in planting flower pots for the Watonwan County Courthouse.

Other communities in Watonwan County also benefited from the Join Hands Day project. Jen Harris of the Big Buddy Program of Watonwan County had her mentors work with children to make birdfeeders for the campers at Voss Park Campground in Butterfield to enjoy. Callie Schmidt worked with youth from the Nelson Wide Awake 4-H Club to plant flowers in planters at the Godahl Store. In Madelia, Caryn Anderson and Jan Christenson worked with the kindergarten children to plant flowers in the Madelia Elementary School Butterfly Garden.

Thrivent and Wellspring Faith In Action welcomed the opportunity to bring youth and adults together in these communities to inspire community service and beautify our county.